Is private school cheaper in Lowell or Rochester?

Rochester has lower average private school tuition at $18,100/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $5,500/year less, or $71,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Rochester over Lowell?

Average tuition in Rochester is $5,500/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $71,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $10,400/year in Rochester.

How do Lowell and Rochester private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average). Rochester averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs Rochester

Rochester averages $5,500/year less for private school (30% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $71,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Rochester is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,100/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $10,400/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Rochester

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	Rochester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$18,100/yr	+$5,500
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$10,400/yr	+$2,400
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$38,500/yr	+$9,600
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$15,400/yr	+$4,700
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$18,100/yr	+$5,500
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$21,700/yr	+$6,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

Rochester

$235,300

Choosing Rochester saves $71,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $143,000.

Sample Schools

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Rochester

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Allendale Columbia School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Lowell breakdown → Full Rochester breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs New York private school costs

About This Comparison

This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.

Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.